Gallery Presentation

Lullin + Ferrari, founded in 2008 by Corrado Ferrari and Etienne Lullin, is a Zurich-based gallery dedicated to contemporary art. Situated in a spacious location near the vibrant Löwenbräu district, the gallery offers a compelling exhibition program that balances historical awareness with forward-thinking artistic exploration. Known for its focus on conceptual positions, the gallery emphasizes intellectual rigor combined with visual precision.

In November 2024, Lullin + Ferrari celebrated its 100th exhibition, marking a milestone in its commitment to showcasing both established artists and emerging talents. Works on paper hold a central position in the gallery’s program. The gallery is highly respected within the Swiss and international art communities, with artists represented in museum collections, corporate acquisitions, and esteemed private collections worldwide. Lullin + Ferrari operates as a connoisseur boutique gallery. Beyond exhibitions, the gallery hosts guided tours, artist talks, and lectures, creating a dynamic platform for engagement and dialogue.

For the 2025 edition of Drawing Now Art Fair, Lullin + Ferrari presents a solo exhibition by Polish artist Slawomir Elsner (b. 1978), celebrated for his masterful draftsmanship and unique approach. Elsner’s recent works reinterpret compositions and colors from famous Old Master paintings. Using intricate crayon line bundles instead of traditional contouring, his works achieve a paradoxical effect—a "sharpened blur" that is both precise and evocative. Beside the crayon drawings, the artist creates mesmerizing watercolors, realised with remarkable precision. Elsner’s works hold an apparent contradiction: through the careful even application of watercolour and the repeated fixing of lines Elsner nearly denies personal style, his “hand”.

For our Paris presentation, Elsner will focus on works by French masters such as Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Henri Matisse, and others, which one might expect to be housed in French museums but are instead found in international collections outside of France. This thematic focus is juxtaposed with depictions of everyday Parisian scenes, elevating them through their iconic resonance and timeless quality. The result is a booth that harmoniously blends Elsner’s crayon works and watercolors into a rich, resonant visual experience.

Elsner’s work is part of significant public collections, including Kupferstichkabinett der Staatlichen Kunstsammlungen (Dresden), Kupferstichkabinett Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum Kassel Heritage (Kassel), Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA), and the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung (Munich). Other holdings include the KiCo Foundation (permanent loan to Lenbachhaus, Munich), XXL Collection of the German Stock Market (Frankfurt), Rubell Family Collection (Miami), Roche Art Collection (Basel), and many others.